Automatic bottle-feed mechanism.



F. O. WOODLAND, DECD. r. s. WOODLAND & A. r. KELLEY. ADMINISTRATQRS.

AUTOMATIC BO'TTLE FEE'D MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 27,1914. 1,197,569. r

i i a a 4! A VU-H/ H/ W l I 1 I 5 I l I 35 9 i 44 4 42 s 3 ZZ/z' 12 25555- Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

rmrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK O. WOODLAND, F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS; FRANCES S. WOODLAND AND ARTHUR F. KELLEY,

A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

ADMINISTRATOR-S OF SAID ASSIGNORS TO ECONOMIC MACHINERY COMPANY,

FRANK O. WOODLAND, DECEASED, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS,

AUTOMATIC BOTTLE-FEED MECHANISM.

Application fl1ed April 27,

-. therein to the accompanying drawings.

device for preventing My present invention relates to certain improvements in automatic mechanism for transferring bottles or the like from a traveling conveyer to a continuously moving carrier in a labeling machine, or similar apparatus, into which bottles or the like are to be consecutively fed in a rapid and regular manner; said invention being more specially designed for use in ma blues of the character described in my previous applications for Letters Patent, Serial Nos. 730,913 and 805,- 7 37 which being for complete machines will give a fuller understanding of'such parts of a labeling machine as are not included in this case, or explained in this specification.

The prime object of my present invention is to provide a more simple and efficient means for shifting bottles or the like, automatically, from a continuously traveling belt or conveyer on to a rotating or constantly moving carrier by an easy, accuratev and smooth running action.

Another object is to provide an improved the series of advancing bottles standing. upon the forwardly moving conveyer, from crowding against the foremost bottle at the feeding-in passwith the freeing series of bottles upon the conveyer-bed,

and successively releasing the single bottles for transfer to the moving carrier in their order; said means being controlled by an actuating member in connection with the moving carrier to which the bottles are being fed. Y

Specification of Letters Patent;

fully hereinafter explained.

nature, organization and a rotating table or carrier,

means for imparting going conductor,

Patented Sept. 5, i916.

191d. Serial No. 834,593.

Another object is to provide a bottle-carrier having thereon a suitably spaced series of pusher devices for supporting and advanclng consecutively bottles or the like, and fitted along its edge with a corresponding series of cam surfaces; and a bottlefeeder or projector controlled directly by said carrier and its cam surfaces, as more I attain these objects by mechanism the operation of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and explained in the following description; the particular subject matter claimed being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a front view of such parts of a labeling machine as embodies my present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of my improved feedmechanism, as arranged for operation with in a labeling machine. Fig. 3 represents a cross section of the feed-Way at line X X on Fig. 1.

In the drawings, the part marked 12 represents the bottle-actuating carrier provided with a series of rests 14 secured thereon at suitable-intervals apart, andeach adapted for supporting a bottle or the like in proper position to receive its label, or labels, while advancing in regular successive order through the labeling operation by the movement of the carrier, which latter is preferably mounted to revolve upon an upright axis shaft 1 supported in a suitable frame or standard 10 and provided, in practice, with motion thereto, as heretofore employed and described in my prior applications for Letters Patent. 27 and 28 indicate stationary guards or guiding fenders arranged adjacently above the surface of the carrier table, and inclosingcertain portions of the path in whlch the bottles B, and their pushing rests 14, travel when the machine is in operation.

31 indicates the feed-way or delivering conductor, and 32 the discharge-way or outeach comprising an endless traveling belt or chain, as 31' and 32*, upon which the bottles stand and are movec forward with the movement of the belts; the bottles being kept in proper serial alinev and similar "pulleys at their outer extremities; the upper run of the belts being intermediately supported by'small rollers, or m other suitable manner. The conveyers can be operated by any approved driving means for imparting motion thereto in the direc- -tion indicated by arrows on Fig. 2. The feed-way conveyer may be operated by gearing or sprockets and chain 38 from the axle of the discharge conveyer pulley, or Vice versa. The speed of the feed-way conveyer is preferably made slightly greater than the speed of the discharging conveyer.

40 indicates a barrier at the end of the feed-way, and 41 indicates the pass-way leading from the convey'er to the path of the carrier or space between. the fenders 27 and 28. I

The numeral 6 indicates the glue-applying pickers, which may be such as heretofore employed; their position on Fig. 2-

showing the vplace where the labels are presented or transferred to the bottles. 7 1nd1- cates the grip-devices that traverse in curved slots 8 and move forward for temporarily gripping the labels to the bottles and stripping the same from the pickers, and 25 indicates the wipers or label-aiiixing means. The pickers, grip-device's and wiper means may be constructed to operate substantially as described in my previous applications, or in other approved mamier.

As a feature of my present invention I.

provide at one side of flthe feed-way conveyer 31, at a short distance from the passway 41, an engaging element 3 controlled by the rotating carrier 12, and projecting into the feed-way for intercepting or arresting'the advancing movement of the train of bottles B, or the like,- brought forward by the conveyer; and to automatically retracted to permit a single bottle to move forward, but arresting those following until such time as the freed bottle has been shunted through the pass-way 14 onto the carrier 12. This intercepting means preferably consists of a simple lever 13 pivotally fulcrumed upon the frame at 5, its shorter arm or memher 3 extending throligh an opening in the wall of the feed-way and properly fitted for contact with the surface of the bottle, approximately as shown in Fig. 2; while the longer arm of said lever is extended beneath vor'adjacent to the edge of the carrier 12 to be actuated by a detent or pin 15 fixed in or moving with said carrier; the arm of the lever being shaped as a cam for giving the extent and quality of movement required for releasing bottles singly. A suitable spring 51, or equivalent means, is combined with the lever 13 for normally pressing its intercepting end 3 into engaging position. 'The pin 15 which actuates the lever 13, may be the same pin that actuates the wiper devices 25 when movable wipers are employed; or said lever may be actuated'in proper time with the carrier and feed de-' free end through spaces in the barrier 40 and to sweep the pass-way 41 for shunting an upright'bottle or the like from the conveyer to the carrier.- In my present invention the bifurcated end of the lever is made rigid with the arm thereof and is disposed so that when at rearward or idle position its face will be approximately flush with the inner face of the outer conveyer wall of the feedway. (See full lines on Fig. 2). The extremities of the bifurcate members are provided with means or horns 44 that serve as guards for preventing a bottle from gettingbehind the lever while it is swung forward to the position indicated by dotted lines.

A spring 52 is provided for swinging the feeding-in lever in one direction, and a roller 49 is mounted upon a stud fixed in a projecting arm on the lever, which roller runs against the periphery of the carrier 12, or a part thereof, the same being formed With a series of cam surfaces 53, the number of which corresponds with the number of bottle-pushing rests 14, said cam surfaces being relatively located and properly shaped to control the action of the feedingin lever and give the quality of movement best adapted for transferring the bottles with an easy and effective action and without severe impact or shock.

the feed-way conductor .for steadying the bottles as they advance, and preventing bottles from tipping over backward on the conveyer, as may sometimes occur when the bottles thereon are not placed close together; or in a quick running-machine; or by the effect of the arresting and releasing of the oncoming series? of bottles. As shown in the drawings, said back-guard consists of a barv24, preferably of wood or other light weight structure, and supported at one end upon a standing bracket 26 attached to the frame or guides, and overhanging the feedway; the said bar being loosely hinged thereto by a transverse horizontal pivot 39, or otherwise connected so that the opposite end of the bar' is free to move up and down, to lightly seat upon the tops of the bottles as they pass beneath it; and to fall in rear of the head or neck of a bottle as the latter moves from beneath the end, ap-

proximately as shown in Fig. 1. The guard.

member can be arranged more or less 1nclined in relation to the plane of the conveyer, and a single back-guard, or a plurality thereof, can ,be employed at intervals upon the feed-way as-may in any instance be preferred; or in some instances the backguard can be omitted, the other parts of the feed mechanism being employed as hereinbefore described.

47 indicates a drag-bar arranged above the path of the vcarrier 12 at the discharge side of the machine. Said drag-bar is pref: erably formed of wood or of light weight material, curved to correspond with the circular shape of the path-defining fenders 29 and 30 over which it is arranged and loosely connected therewith by a hinge or hinges 48, or by other attaching means that will retain the drag-bar in connection while per mitting its lifting or free up and down action as it rests upon the tops of the bottles passing beneath it. As shown, the hinging 48 is arranged at the outer side of the drag- .bar, but the form and arrangement of hinging or connecting means may be modified n any way desired, provided the drag-bar is permitted sufficient freedom to rest its weight upon the heads of the passing bottles and to automatically accommodate the variations in the height of the various bottles as.

they come along. When the bottles are all of uniform size and shape the drag-bar need have but slight freedom; but in practice it frequently occurs that bottles of various patterns become mixed together and are used indiscriminately; hence for such'cascs the free acting drag-bar is of considerable utility. The under face of the bar 47 may be flat or concaved, and its ends beveled or rounded under similar to a sled runner, to

' permit easy passage of the bottles thereunder.

The discharge-way conveyer and means for effecting transfer of bottles from the carrier thereto, may be substantially vthe same as described in my previous application, Serial No. 805,737, except that the whirler'65 is operated by gearing 66 instead of by contact with the edge of the carrier 12.

In the operation, the bottles B are placed upon the conveyer in any convenient manner, and brought forward by the movement of the belt or chain 31" upon which they stand. They are arrested in their approach to the barrier 40 by the engaging element or intercepting member 3, without stopping the conveyer belt 31'. When a pin .15 on the carrier 12 runs against the lever 13 'the intercepting member 3 is thereby retracted for a suflicient distance and time to allow the foremost bottle B to escape therefrom and to move forward toward the barrier while the intercepting member assumes its carrier.

primal position in time to prevent the second bottle from going beyond it until a second action thereof ensues. Ihe foremost or freed bottle is in the mean time, by the I action of the conveyer-belt, moved up to the barrier 40, and at that instant one of the cam surfaces 53 on the periphery of the carrier 12, coacting with the roller 49, permits the spring 52 to actuate the feeding-in lever 42,

bottle shunted onto the carrier at each of the series of stations or rests, as the carrier.

rotates.

In practising my invention some changes in the construction or form of parts may be inade by those'skilled in the art, without creating a departure from the nature and scope of the invention'as expressed in the claims. I do not Wish, therefore, to be limited to the special construction in detail as herein shown, but would include the right to all such modifications as may properly come within the scope of my claimed invent-ion.

I claim and desire to secure Patent 1. A bottle-feed mechanism including in combination, substantially as described, a

by Letters revolvingflcarrier table for supporting and advancing bottles, said table having a circumferential cam-shaped edge, anda series of upright pusher devices: fixed upon the bottle-supporting surface of the table, a feed-way conveyer having adjacent to the carrier a stationary'barrier and transverse pass-way, a feeder-arm pivoted at a position.

beyond the end of the conveyer, andiprovided with an intermedially disposed" cam-' engaging roller that runs against sald e11:-

cumferential cam-shaped edge, a springattaching projection, and a rigid bottle-engaging vfork that extends through said barrier into said pass-way to swing across the end of the feed-way, and a spring strained'fr'om .said attaching projection to a fixed attaching member, and tensioned for moving feeder arm toward the carrier. I,

2 ln a feed mechanism for bbttles or the like, in combination with a rotary carrier havingemeans forheceiving and advancing said bringing a train of' bottles adjacent to said bottles or the like, a guide-way and a continuous traveling conveyer adapted for and a short arm that projects through the wall of the guide-way, its end adapted for temporarily intercepting the advance of the following bottle or bottles, means for shifting said foremost bottle onto the carrier, a detent revolving with thecarrier that contacts with said long armfor controlling the action of said intercepting lever, actuating springs for coacting therewith, and means for rotating said carrier.

3. In a "bottle-feed mechanism, the combination, of a traveling conveying means adapted for advancing bottles standing upright thereon, parallel guiding means for keeping the advancing bottles in serial alinement, and a back-guard device that automatically assumes position behind the respective bottles for preventing backward tipping of the bottles, but permitting the forward movement thereof with the conveying-means.

4. In a bottle-feed mechanism, in combination substantially as described, a rotatably movable -carrier table, a series of upright rests standing thereon for supporting and carrying forward bottles or the like, inner and outer non-rotatable fenders definin a receiving space through which said pushmg rests travel to take the advancing bottles, a delivery conveyer terminating with a transverse barrier and a lateral pass-way connect-- ing said conveyer and the 'fender-inclosed space of the carrier, a spring actuated feeder arm arranged for' shunting bottles throughsaid pass-way, a series of cams upon the carrier for controlling the movement of said feeder arm, an arresting lever near the latter end of the conveyer for effecting individual vrelease of the bottles thereon, 'said lever actuated by contact with the rotary carrier table, said feeder-arm controlled for synchronous action with the release of the bottle on the conveyer 5. In mechanism of the class described, in combination wlth a movable carrier having means thereon for supportlng and advancing bottles or the like, guard fenders defin-.

ing a portion of the path in which the bottles are carr1ed,-a feed-dehvery-way having an endless traveling conveying means, an end- I barrier and a pass-way from the conveyer to memes said conveyer to said carrier, and means upon the carrier for actuating said shunting means.

6. In a bottle-feed mechanism, in combination, a rotary supporting carrier having an annular fiat table surface, a plurality of bottle pushing rests fixed thereon, the periphery of said carrier formed with a plurality of cam contours correspondingwith the number of said rests, a walled pass-way through which bottles are directed onto said carrier, a bottle-shunting element consisting of a lever or arm pivoted at its rear end,

and having a spring attaching ear, and an intermediately disposed projection carrying a roller that runs against said peripheral cam contours, the fore end of said armformed With fingers having backwardly pro- ]ecting horns thereon and adapted for swinging in said pass-way, a push-spring sitions thereon, and'having a circumferential;

edge forming a continuous track cam sur-,

/ face with a plurality of depressions and swells about its periphery disposed in uniformly corresponding order with respect to said rests,'a pass-way from the conveyer to said carrier, a pivoted feeding-in lever disposed substantially as described, its end adapted to swing within said pass-way for moving a bottle thereth'rough, said lever provided with a side arm and roller that runs against the peripheral cam surface of the carrier, and a spring connected with said lever for normally forcing its free end and roller toward the carrier.

8. In a bottle transferring mechanism for the purposes set forth, a traveling conveyer elementadapted for advancing a series of upright bottles supported thereon,

means for keeping the bottles in serial alinement along the conveyer, means for operating said conveyer element, and a gravity actuated drop member loosely supported above the path of the bottles and adapted to rest upon the heads of the bottles as they successively pass beneath said member.

9. In a bottle-feed mechanism, the combination with a bottle-conducting means comprising parallel longitudinal side guiding members, and an endless traveling conveyer bottom upon which bottles are carried in upright standing position, a standing bracket mounted on said conductor. a swinging downwardly inclined element arranged above the conveyer and having one end loosely attached to said bracket by a transverse horizontal hinging joint, its other end being free and adapted for engaging behind the heads of the advancing bottles, and

means for operating said traveling conveyor.

path of the bottles upon the con-veyer element, its free end adapted to rest upon the heads of the bottles as they move beneath it, and to drop in rear thereof as they successively pass its end.

11. In a mechanism of the character specified, the combination with a horizontally rotatable carrier, bottle-pushing devices fixed thereon, outer and inner stationary guiding fenders that define the course of, and laterally support the advancing bottles; of an overhead non-traveling drag-piece consisting of a curved plate hinged at one edge by projecting hinge members for free up and down yielding action and having a suitably shaped under surface against Which the heads of the bottles slide as said bottles are advanced between the fenders.

Witness my hand this 25th day of April,

- FRANK 0. WOODLAND. Witnesses: v CHAS. HyBURLEIGH,

C. S. PUTNAM. 

